AD/PA-22/28 - Automatic Pilot Roll Servo Shear Pin - Installation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safe operation of civil aviation in Australia. One of the significant updates to these regulations is found in Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. Specifically, AD/PA-22/28 addresses the installation of an automatic pilot roll servo shear pin for Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to mitigate risks associated with the Edo-Aire Mitchell Automatic Pilot AK064, ensuring compliance within 200 hours of time in service following 30 September 1974. The policy objective behind this regulation is to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety by addressing potential mechanical failures through timely and specific maintenance directives.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the scope of Part 39 - 105, outlines specific Airworthiness Directives for ensuring the safety of aviation operations, with a particular focus on the Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes. The AD/PA-22/28 mandates the installation of an automatic pilot roll servo shear pin on all models equipped with the Edo-Aire Mitchell Automatic Pilot AK064, identifiable by either Piper SL No. 695 or Edo-Aire Mitchell SL ML 38. This directive applies to all relevant aircraft regardless of the operator or the location of operation within Australia, encompassing both state and territory jurisdictions as well as Commonwealth areas. Compliance with this directive is required within 200 hours of time in service after 30 September 1974, ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft models. The directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions but is binding for the identified aircraft models and conditions.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under PART 39 - 105, mandate specific safety directives for certain aircraft models. Section 39-105 of the regulations focuses on the Piper PA-22 series, which includes the Tri-Pacer and Colt models, and issues an airworthiness directive concerning the automatic pilot roll servo shear pin (AD/PA-22/28). This directive applies to all Piper PA-22 models fitted with the Edo-Aire Mitchell Automatic Pilot AK064. The requirement is for compliance to be met within 200 hours of time in service after 30 September 1974, as detailed in Piper Service Letter No. 695 or Edo-Aire Mitchell Service Letter ML 38. The key obligations under this directive mandate that any person in charge of the Piper PA-22 aircraft fitted with the specified automatic pilot must ensure the installation of the shear pin within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to adhere to this directive could potentially compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants, leading to non-compliance with civil aviation safety standards. This requirement is critical to prevent the automatic pilot roll servo from seizing, which could lead to loss of control during flight. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in serious consequences. Section 39-105 stipulates that non-compliance with the installation of the automatic pilot roll servo shear pin within the required timeframe is an offence. The potential penalties for such an offence can be severe. While the exact penalties are not detailed in the provided text, generally, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can result in civil penalties, which may include substantial fines, and in severe cases, criminal charges. These penalties serve as a deterrent to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are maintained. Moreover, the consequences of non-compliance extend beyond legal penalties. Operators of non-compliant aircraft may face operational restrictions, including grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. This not only incurs financial losses due to grounded aircraft but also potentially disrupts flight schedules and operations. Hence, adherence to the airworthiness directive is not only a legal obligation but also a critical safety measure to ensure the operational integrity and safety of the aircraft.